Module Code - Title:
EC4044
-
APPLIED ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The objective of this module is to teach students methods of empirical economic inquiry. It is suitable for students at undergraduate level who are taking a significant part of their degree in economics. Lectures and tutorials are structured to develop the necessary skills for the assignment.
Syllabus:
Students will be introduced to the philosophy of research. They will then discuss the process of empirical research: formulating research questions; literature reviews; identifying suitable data; visualising data; analysing data using multivariate methods; thinking critically about research methods; writing-up of results.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Formulate research questions that address important topics and that can be answered using empirical methods
Evaluate the existing economic literature
Test economic theories on real world data using statistical techniques
Identify the difficulties in estimating economic relationships
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Show a commitment to upholding the ethical, intellectual, and reflective responsibilities involved in empirical research.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The aim of the lectures and tutorials is to equip the students with the skills to complete a research project. The module consists of lectures discussing conceptual and practical aspects of empirical research. The tutorials will further demonstrate the application of empirical techniques. Online analytics content, taken during the students’ private study time, will further develop their statistical software skills. The students will be given feedback on their work-in-progress throughout term before they complete their research project. As well as developing technical skills, the emphasis is on fostering the curiosity of the students by having them develop their own research question.
Prime Texts:
Nick Huntington-Klein (2021)
The Effect: An Introduction to Research Design and Causality.
, Chapman & Hall.
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS STUDIES
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS STUDIES WITH FRENCH
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS STUDIES WITH GERMAN
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS STUDIES WITH JAPANESE
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS STUDIES WITH SPANISH
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ECONOMICS AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ECONOMICS AND MATHEMATICS
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
mauricio.perezalaniz@ul.ie